Got a release coming up and wondering how it’ll perform? Spotify pre-saves are a great way to lock in some streams on day one.
With a pre-save campaign, fans can follow your Spotify profile, join your email list, and automatically add your track to their library — all in just a few clicks.
In this blog, you’ll learn how to run a pre-save campaign and achieve 100 pre-saves to grow your audience and build momentum for your next release.
How do I set up a pre-save tool?
If you’re a CD Baby member, you can set up pre-saves with Show.co, our premier suite of music marketing tools. Just select “Spotify Pre-Save” from the Show.co campaign options and enter your preferred settings.
Setting up a pre-save campaign in Show.co also allows you to collect fan emails, gain followers on Spotify, and share details about rewards, contests, or giveaways to drive more saves.
When can I set up a pre-save tool?
You can set up your pre-save link as soon as you submit your music for distribution — scheduling the release date at least 4-6 weeks in advance to provide sufficient time for promotion.
How can I get more pre-saves?
Earning pre-saves is similar to driving streams or selling merch — it requires activating your fanbase and reaching new listeners. The key difference is that you’re asking someone to save a song they haven’t heard yet. To do that effectively, you need a clear artist brand and a well-structured fan funnel that guides people from discovery and interest to action.
How to reach your first 100 pre-saves
100 pre-saves is an excellent milestone for an emerging artist looking to build and engage their fanbase ahead of a release. In what follows, you’ll learn how to secure pre-saves in increments, starting with your smallest circle, then expanding to larger promotional efforts.
First, a strategic note
Again, before you start marketing your music, make sure your artist branding is solid and you’ve mapped at least one complete fan journey through your funnel – meaning you have a tangible way to attract, convert, and retain fans through your channels.
Secondly, tactics will only work if your brand genuinely connects with new audiences. Spend time building and optimizing your artist brand and make sure your social media professionally captures it.
The following tactics will only work if you have a strong brand and funnel to convert listeners into fans.
Send the pre-save link to friends and family (10 pre-saves)
The best way to secure your first few pre-saves is by sending a link to friends, family — even your own collaborators or band members. Double your efforts by asking recipients to personally share the link with one additional person.
Email your fanbase (25 pre-saves)
Once you’ve reached 10 pre-saves, take your promotion further with email. It’s still a direct way to engage your audience, just on a larger scale.
If you haven’t set up your email list yet, check out our starter guide and follow our best practices to create your email campaign.
Elevate your pitch by including exciting content in your email, such as behind-the-scenes pictures, a story about writing the song, a link to a visualizer with a clip of your song, and more. Think of ways to make your email pop and inspire your audience — give them a reason to care about your song enough to save it.
Post to social media (50 pre-saves)
Between personal messages and an email blast, you should be sitting at 25 pre-saves. Now it’s time to take your pitch to social media.
The best ways to drive pre-saves over social media are short-form videos and stories — both can help you reach new audiences.
Short-form videos should be 15-30 second clips. Here are some ideas:
- The hook of your song – it’s the catchiest part!
- Behind-the-scenes footage that breathes life into your recording
- A Q&A that reveals something surprising, weird, or intriguing about the song
- A snippet of you performing the song live in a captivating environment
- An introduction to your music – who you are and what music you create
Stories could be cross-reposted as short-form videos or:
- Alternative versions of the cover art
- A personal video asking fans to pre-save
- A countdown story to your release (posted daily with new background images)
Aim to post short-form videos at least 3 times per week and stories at least daily. The goal with both these forms of content is to engage your current audience and attract the attention of new audiences.
It’s nearly impossible to post too much, especially as an emerging artist, but remember, consistency is more important than quantity. Choose a cadence you can maintain and stick to it. Also, engage with every comment from a fan and reach out to thank fans over social media if you see they’ve pre-saved your song.
If a format is driving clicks to your pre-save link, double down and remix the idea. Perform the hook of your song in different places, make a Q&A that responds to questions from your comments, develop new behind-the-scenes content that borders on lifestyle/vlog content, etc.
Pro tip: If you’ve fallen short of the 25 saves goal at this point, reassess your approach with personal texts and emails before diving into social media. If you can’t get your existing fans to pre-save your songs, you’ll have a harder time converting new ones.
Offer incentives to pre-savers (75 pre-saves)
Between personal messages to your inner circle, a compelling email blast, and a flurry of social media posts, you should be sitting around 75 pre-saves.
At this stage, you’re probably about one or two weeks away from release day. This is the perfect window to launch a giveaway, announce an event that drives more saves, or begin offering incentives for pre-savers.
If you’re organizing a release show or listening party, offer a discount to fans who pre-save (and retroactively apply to any previous pre-savers).
If you’re not hosting a celebratory event, give a few lucky pre-savers a free piece of merch, a special live recording, or physical format.
Double down on what’s worked and leverage anticipation (100 pre-saves)
Now that you’ve reached 75 pre-saves, you’ve done a fair amount of experimenting. You’re beginning to see where your promotional content is resonating and what drives fans to act. To reach your final 100 saves, double down on channels with the highest engagement.
At this stage, you’re also likely a week or less out from your release. It’s time to pull all the stops! Shift your messaging from “pre-save so you’ll have it when it’s out” to “my release arrives in X days!” Maximize promotion around your giveaway
You can enter a custom thank you message on your Show.co pre-save link notifying people of any special events or content they can expect on release day.
Conclusion
Reaching 100 pre-saves is a sign that your fans are engaged and excited for your release – it’s also a right of passage for emerging artists. You’ll learn a lot in those first 100 saves!
A pre-save campaign is a useful test to understand your developing fanbase. Take note of the tactics and channels that help you reach existing and new audiences and successfully drive them into action. Carry these insights beyond release day to keep your audience engaged and growing. You’ll lay the foundation for stronger fan relationships with every release.
Ready to start growing your fanbase with your next release? CD Baby provides industry-leading distribution and actionable insights to a growing community of over two million independent artists just like you. Create an account to start taking your music further.